Instant Pot Steamed Crab legs are so juicy and tender, absolutely delicious. If you have seafood lovers in your family that love Crab legs, you can now easily satisfy their cravings by cooking crab legs at home in the Instant Pot.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below, and we'll send it directly to you. Plus, you'll get amazing recipes sent to you daily.
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Recipes Simple.
These Instant Pot Crab Legs were made while on vacation. It can get really expensive ordering them at restaurants so make them yourself in the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Steamed Crab Legs
If you are headed to the beach be sure to take your Instant Pot with you. It's a quick and easy way to cook up some delicious seafood and you can serve them with your favorite side dishes.
See printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.
How To Make Instant Pot Steamed Crab Legs
You'll need 3 clusters of fresh crab legs or thawed crab legs if using frozen.
Get your Instant Pot, steaming rack and one cup of water ready.
Insert steaming rack into your instant pot and pour in one cup of water.
Add fresh or thawed crab legs to the Instant pot. I have not tried them from frozen yet but Cara was kind enough to comment below that she pressure cooked them from frozen for 4 minutes and they were perfect. Thank you Cara!
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal the vent. Next, press the “manual” button and set the time to 2 minutes. It usually takes 10 minutes to come to pressure and begin cooking.
Once the instant pot beeps, quick release the pressure. Use tongs to remove the crab legs.
Serve with melted butter and sliced lemons.
Recipe Tips
- If you want to add seasoning to the crab legs try Old Bay seasoning.
- To get all the meat out of each leg use crab crackers or nutcrackers to make it a lot easier.
- Avoid overcooking the crab legs or they will become tough and rubbery.
- These are great served with fresh shrimp, potatoes, sausage, and corn.
Cooking Crab legs in the Instant Pot is so easy and they cook to perfection! They steam perfectly in the Instant Pot. So much better than boiling them.
Be sure and try our other delicious Instant Pot Recipes! A few of our favorites is this Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast, Instant Pot Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers and Instant Pot Apple BBQ Ribs.
Stay Connected! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for the latest recipes.
I hope you enjoy this Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce! If you try this recipe, please come back and rate it and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from you!
Instant Pot Steamed Crab Legs
Ingredients
- 3 clusters fresh crab legs
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Insert steaming rack into your Instant Pot.
- Pour in one cup of water.
- Add fresh or thawed crab legs (if using frozen) to the pot.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal the vent.
- Press the manual button, select high pressure and set the time to 2 minutes.
- Once the Instant Pot beeps, carefully quick release the pressure.
- Once pressure is released you can remove the lid.
- Use tongs to remove the crab legs to serving dish.
- Serve and enjoy!
Rosalyn Magby
Tuesday 10th of November 2020
Love this!!!! Used the 4 min method with the frozen legs and man oh man. Flavorful without any butter or seasoning. Thanks for the recipe.
Don Bruns
Wednesday 14th of October 2020
We, always add old bay and it just adds that little extra.
Chris
Thursday 6th of February 2020
Hey have you tried to add old bay seasoning to the water Just curious how it would turn out.
Judy
Tuesday 18th of February 2020
Hi Chris. I haven't tried adding seasoning to the water so I'm not sure.
Ashley
Saturday 17th of November 2018
So, it doesn’t take but less than a few mins to make?
Judy
Sunday 18th of November 2018
That's right. That is what I love about the Instant Pot. Pressure cooking is fast and everything I have cooked in my has been so good!
Cheryl
Monday 8th of October 2018
What about the corn, shrimp, potatoes and sausage? Can I IP those, too? Separate from the crab legs, I’m guessing?
Judy
Saturday 13th of October 2018
Yes you could. It would be easy to do in the Instant Pot!